Several buildings are already up in the 240-unit Bella Estancias complex, which will feature large two-level apartments centered around courtyards, and many townhouses at 10800 McCombs, near Sean Haggerty.

Construction also is underway on the 150-unit expansion of The Reserve at Sandstone Ranch at 11200 Sean Haggerty. The complex with 246 existing apartments opened two years ago.

"The market softening is not affecting us," said David Bogas, director of development for EPT, the El Paso developer also building the ambitious Montecillo smart growth community on North Mesa on the West Side. "Our new product is leasing very nicely."

K.C. Griffin, president of Integrity Asset Management, which manages the EPT apartment complexes and several thousand other apartment units in El Paso, said, "The rental market has fallen off a bit as new units have been absorbed. It's still a steady market," and EPT's luxury units continue to attract tenants.

El Paso's apartment occupancy average has fallen from around 97 percent two years ago to around 92 percent today, Griffin said.

However, EPT's Sandstone Ranch is above the market average with an occupancy rate of 97 percent, reported Malorie Iglesias, investment manager for the complex.

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Sandstone Ranch is attracting Army officers, construction workers involved with building the new William Beaumont Army Medical Center, young El Paso professionals, and even some retirees, Iglesias reported.

Rents range from $800 to $1,400 per month for the one- to three-bedroom units. Those are higher than some other El Paso apartment complexes, but that's not keeping people away, Iglesias said.

The swimming pool has a small waterfall; a small putting green is nearby. It also has a wishbone-shaped dog park with a phony fire hydrant and pets' drinking fountain.

The complex's exterior color scheme of gold, yellow, red, brown, and gray is similar to the colors used at Montecillo.

"This is the new Northeast," said Iglesias, an El Paso native. "The Northeast had a certain (negative) reputation. But with the new development, it's drastically changed."

Iglesias and Griffin said Bella Estancias will have many of the same amenities as Standstone Ranch. But Bella Estancias will have many large units.

Forty-six townhouses with 1,560 square feet and two-car garages will be as large as many single-family homes, but with the amenities of community living, Griffin said. They will rent for about $1,500, she said.

The bulk of the complex will feature two-level apartments facing courtyards with fountains and grilling areas, Griffin said. The one- and two-bedroom apartments will rent from $780 to $1,200 per month, she said.

"There's a demand for three-bedroom units," Griffin said. There's also a healthy market for high-end units, she said.

Some apartments at Bella Estancias are expected to open in October. A portion of Sandstone's expansion is expected to be' done by the end of the year.

EPT's Bogas said the company has no plans to slow down.

It will take many years to develop the 292-acre Montecillo community, and EPT has other projects in the pipeline, he said.